Avatar: Not quite a revolution.

Avatar.
(Note: I give the story away, so please don’t read if you want to see the film…)

I’ve got to say…for Hollywood, this film comes very, very close to the revolutionary borderline – thought it definitely does not cross. It’s inspiring to see the essence of indigenous life painted so poetically and in 3D! The spirit and the landscape of Pandora, the Na’vi people, the language, the animals, the flora and fauna…all of it is just miraculous. It looks and feels like how life should be here on earth – at least how it exists in the minds of fantasists like myself. Avatar succeeds in honorably relaying the heart of life and love as it exists in Indigenous people. For the first half of the film, I was totally in love.
The critique of American military, big business and even scientific research is keen – a sigh of relief from the Michael Beys of the world. I’m glad the film was so clear (without being too on the nose) about dissecting the imperial process by using language contemporaries understand. Redefining the word “terrorist” from an Indigenous-sensitive lens on a blockbuster major motion picture event platform is a noble step. Throughout the film, we were rooting for the Na’vi. The big bad USA was a cruel tyrant. An evil and sick, mindless, heartless dictator of the worst kind of philosophy.
But in the end… the story was Dances With Wolves and The Last Samurai all over again. Meet these rich Indigenous people. Love them. Enter White man, give him a couple of months to get the hang of things, and bOoM! He’s running thangs, emasculating the Indigenous male characers – who consequently, all die – leaving him to, of course, become leader of these hopeless people.

It reminds me of the many wars that are going on in our world today – born of greed by way of a desire to deplete the world’s natural resources – imperialists plotting and planning an attack – sexual warfare (sleeping with the chief’s daughter) – sympathy – white guilt – NGOs and human rights organizations – the dilemma – “being the voice for the people” vs. being a microphone…

Stream of consciousness…let me explain:

I’ve seen the work of “Western” people who attempt to fight for the protection of Indigenous people. They are around, doing the hard work, and I give them much credit. But oftentimes, I’ve also seen people get on their own high horses, wanting to become saviors and Jake Sullys. They become so self righteous that they loose sight of the very people they are fighting for, and in essence, they become subtle machines of the cultural genocide they think they are trying to cure. They cannot deny the blood-work of their fathers in destroying God’s people and enforcing Eurocentrism the world over. This war is great and has been going on for a long, long time. It is simply white supremacy. In 3D.

The question I would ask Jim Cameron is: Once you recognized that you were following the formula of “white man leads the natives”, were you comfortable with the decision to stick to that theme? Are you comfortable now?

here’s a great article that goes a little deeper.

Who was Benny A. Lyde?

Benny A. Lyde was a 21 year old college senior at Long Island University, living in Brooklyn, NY. He lived on Lincoln Place in Crown Heights. Not too far from my home. In 2005 he suffered a murderous death by gunfire – all because of some beef that had nothing to do with him. His death went mostly unnoticed in the public eye – as if no unordinary tragedy had transpired. As if we hadn’t just lost a bright, young model American citizen. He was on the honor roll. He had a job and helped his mother pay bills – at the age of 21. He helped run a literacy program in East New York, Brooklyn and mentored younger children in his community. Children looked up to him. And he was looking forward to a shining future as he was finishing up his degrees in Business Management and Computer Science. The world was his. His mother has said he would reevaluate his life’s goals every five years. In 2005 (what would become his last year here), he aspired to be the first Black president of the United States.

A couple of weeks ago, I was taking a Saturday stroll from my house to the Brooklyn Museum. I walked into a crowd of people on that beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday. The air was perfectly crisp and the sun was gentle, not too demanding. The event in Crown Heights that afternoon was a street naming ceremony at Lincoln Place and New York Ave for “Benny A. Lyde Street”

I think I now know the taste of bittersweetness. His murderer has been captured. His mother was able to speak of him without a gush of tears. And in spite of the clear blue late summer’s sky, there was no justice.

Yinka Shonibare, MBE

I had the pleasure of viewing the Yinka Shonibare exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum before the exhibit’s closing. A truly multi-media artist he is. Painting, sculpture, video, fashion, photography, dance…he’s not afraid to express freely, not allowing limitations of any noticeable kind. Mostly, the thing that impressed me was that he treated each work of video art with as much care and consideration one would give to a traditional painting. He inspired me and made me laugh hysterically.

He Was Talking to Me

He was talking to all of us who seek peace whether internally or internationally. It’s like Benito Juarez said, “Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace”.

And speaking of quotes, I just have to highlight some of my favs from President Obama’s call-for-peace speech in Cairo. The man brought me very near tears. He speaks directly to the heart of every human being knowing full well that, if inspired, encouraged and respected, we can one-by-one paint a bold, clear vision for a better future. And live it.

Excerpts from President Barack Obama. Cairo, Egypt. June 4th, 2009:

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace.

In this new age such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation…will inevitably fail.

Whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership. Our progress must be shared.

Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries Black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights, it was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told…a story with a simple truth. Violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor of power…that’s not how moral authority is claimed, that’s how it is surrendered.

If we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith in every country. You, more than anyone have the ability to re-imagine the world to remake this world.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. Its easier to blame others than to look inward. It’s easier to see what is different about someone then to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning keeping in mind what has been written.

The Carters: Love Makes You Look Good

I’ve just gotta mention the beaming light that is J and B. Yes, yes, I know. They’re rich. They’re talented. Driven. Famous. They spend a lot of money on all the products and services one can imagine to look as good as they do. But since their nuptials, I must say, they’ve upped their glow.

A Great Day to be Born

I got a call at 6:30 this morning from a then pregnant Luchana. They were on their way to the hospital. I sent out prayers, affirmations and positive thoughts and solicited more of the same via txt messages, facebook and twitter. And, at 9:17am on Tuesday, May 19th 2009, Renee Doris Marie Caviness was born.

On this day 84 years ago, baby Malcolm Little was born and would grow to be El Hajj Malik Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. He would stand for the freedom of many, to be remembered, studied, loved and revered.

Below is a video sent on twitter by @zaheerali of a secret audio recording of Brother Malcolm meeting with a couple of members of the FBI. They really tried to insult his intelligence. You have to listen to it. The nerve! Proof that the brother was committed. Unwavering. Steady. Reliable. Worthy.

Happy Malcolm X Day. And welcome to the world, Baby Renee!

Egypt: Late 1800s/Early 1900s

Came across this while researching imagery for art direction on a music video project. Thought it was interesting…not necessarily for said music video..but just for you, blog.